Dual Propulsion Patents (Class 244/12.3)
  • Patent number: 12049307
    Abstract: A VTOL aircraft (1) having a fuselage (2) for transporting passengers and/or load, front and rear wings (3, 4) attached to the fuselage, a right connecting beam (5a) and a left connecting beam (5b), which connecting beams structurally connect the front wing and the rear wing, and which connecting beams are spaced apart from the fuselage, and at least two lifting units (M1-M6) on each one of the connecting beams. The lifting units each include at least one propeller (6b) and at least one motor (6a) driving the propeller, preferably an electric motor, and are arranged with their respective propeller axis in an essentially vertical orientation. The front wing, at least in portions thereof, has a sweep angle ? between ?=45° and ?=135°, and the rear wing, at least in portions thereof, has a forward sweep with sweep angle ??30°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Volocopter GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Stobbe, Krishna Pal Rajput, Sebastian Mores
  • Patent number: 12049311
    Abstract: UAV configurations and battery augmentation for UAV internal combustion engines, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative configuration includes a fuselage, first and second wings coupled to and pivotable relative to the fuselage, and a plurality of lift rotors carried by the fuselage. A representative battery augmentation arrangement includes a DC-powered motor, an electronic speed controller, and a genset subsystem coupled to the electronic speed controller. The genset subsystem can include a battery set, an alternator, and a motor-gen controller having a phase control circuit configurable to rectify multiphase AC output from the alternator to produce rectified DC feed to the DC-powered motor. The motor-gen controller is configurable to draw DC power from the battery set to produce the rectified DC feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Endurant Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Gregory Leonard McAdoo
  • Patent number: 12043367
    Abstract: An aircraft includes a wing having an integrated ducted fan. The ducted fan is enclosed at least in sections by a feed lip. The feed lip has a flat curvature on the bow side and a comparatively strong curvature on the rear side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Guan Chew, Michael Fürstner, Stefan Bender, Mikel Fauri, Malte Rotermund
  • Patent number: 12043419
    Abstract: The invention refers to a VTOL aircraft of the type that uses certain aerodynamic phenomena to increase the lifting force and to reduce the thrust/weight ratio. An aircraft 1 uses a propulsion system 2 consisting of four thrust producing elements, two in front 3 and two in rear 4. Each front thrust producing element 3 contains at least one front rotor 5 operated by at least one front electric motor, fixed on a fuselage 10. Each rear thrust producing element 4 contains at least one rear rotor 7 driven by at least a rear electric motor 8, fixed on the fuselage 10. On the fuselage 10 is attached symmetrically a front wing 12. On the fuselage 10 is attached symmetrically a rear wing 13. The wing 12 and 13 are used also in static conditions respectively in take-off and landing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignees: THE SUMMIT TRUST
    Inventors: Liviu Grigorian Giurca, Michael Silviu Soimar
  • Patent number: 12030626
    Abstract: A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft (100) having: a wing structure having right and left side forward wings (20, 22); and right and left side rearward wings (30, 32), each of the right side wings (20, 30) being connected, and each of the left side wings (22, 32) being connected in a box wing configuration; wherein each wing (20, 22, 30, 32) has a fixed leading edge (100) and at least one moveable trailing control surface (110), further wherein each wing (20, 22, 30, 32) has at least one motor pod (195), the motor pod (195) being pivotally mounted to an underside of the fixed leading edge (100), and fixedly secured to the trailing control surface (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: AMSL INNOVATIONS PTY LTD
    Inventors: Andrew Dudley Moore, John Wilson
  • Patent number: 11975830
    Abstract: Embodiments provide an electric aircraft with a plurality of lift fan assemblies that are configured to provide vertical lift, and one or more pusher propellers that are configured to provide forward thrust. The lift fan assemblies may be coupled to the wings of the aircraft via one or more support structures, and the wings may be coupled to an upper region of the fuselage. The pusher propeller(s) may be coupled to a tailing end of the fuselage. The lift fan assemblies and the pusher propeller(s) may provide thrust and movement in directions that are orthogonal to one another. A control system coupled to the aircraft may control the lift fan assemblies and the one or more pusher propellers to activate, increase in power, and decrease in power. The lift fan assemblies and the one or more pusher propellers may be operated separately, and may be active at different times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Wisk Aero LLC
    Inventors: James Joseph Tighe, Uri Tzarnotzky, Geoffrey Alan Long
  • Patent number: 11975824
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a multi-rotor aircraft that implements the unconventional use of an odd number of rotors. The odd or auxiliary rotor is designed to be smaller in diameter than the remaining main rotors and accordingly generates a smaller unbalanced torque and pitch on the aircraft. Additional configurations implement the use of smaller thrust rotors that can be used to generate thrust as well as control yaw and thus counteract any remaining unbalanced torque from the odd auxiliary rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignees: California Institute of Technology, TooFon, Inc.
    Inventors: Morteza Gharib, Michael V. Ol, Christopher J. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 11970261
    Abstract: Aircraft comprising a primary propeller driven in rotation by a motor, the motor having a first assembly and a second assembly movable in rotation relative to each other along an axis of rotation, the primary propeller being secured in rotation to one of said first assembly and second assembly, the first assembly and the second assembly being movable in translation relative to each other along a direction of translation defined by the axis of rotation, between a rest position and a service position, characterized in that said aircraft comprises a locking system, comprising a housing and an indexing element, the housing being formed in one among the first assembly and the second assembly, the indexing element being secured to the other among the first assembly and the second assembly, the locking system having an engaged configuration in which the indexing element is at least partially inserted into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: SAFRAN ELECTRICAL & POWER
    Inventors: Jacques Eche, Yann Tondriaux
  • Patent number: 11970281
    Abstract: A method and system for providing corrective action to a rotorcraft experiencing motor failure is provided. Included in the method and system are embodiments that receive feedback from sensors directed at measuring a state of motors used to provide lift to the rotorcraft. The method and system also describe embodiments for determining that there is a malfunctioning motor, and furthermore, the appropriate corrective action for responding to the malfunctioning motor. In some embodiments, the method and system are configured to reduce power to the malfunctioning motor while simultaneously adjusting power supplied to the remaining motors such that changes in total thrust and net torque are minimized. Further, the method and system are configured to perform diagnostics on the malfunctioning motor while power is still being supplied to the first motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Inventor: Ansel Misfeldt
  • Patent number: 11964753
    Abstract: An aircraft having two or more pairs of airfoils, each airfoil having an embedded vertical thruster. The vertical thrusters provide sufficient lift to permit the aircraft to perform vertical takeoffs and landings. The aircraft has two or more horizontal thrusters which accelerate the aircraft to a speed at which the airfoils provide most or all of the lift required to maintain altitude. In horizontal flight, the vertical thrusters may operate at a reduced power level, sufficient to control the orientation of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Doroni Aerospace Inc.
    Inventor: Doron Merdinger
  • Patent number: 11932383
    Abstract: A vertical takeoff and landing aerial vehicle and a cooling system for the aerial vehicle. The vertical takeoff and landing aerial vehicle comprises at least one air inlet provided on the top side of a linear support below a lift propeller, and at least one air outlet provided on the linear support. In the vertical takeoff and landing stage of the aerial vehicle provided by the disclosure, airflow generated by rotation of a lift propeller forms a rapid-flowing spatial flow field, which can achieve efficient heat dissipation of a motor and an electronic speed controller in an arm; and in the vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicle provided by the utility, the takeoff weight of the unmanned aerial vehicle cannot be increased, power consumption of airborne equipment cannot be increased, and interior space of the arm cannot be occupied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: SHANGHAI AUTOFLIGHT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yu Tian
  • Patent number: 11932385
    Abstract: The present invention provides an aircraft design which incorporates a modular design including the use of one or more multi-motor assemblies where the motors are in series within the multi-motor assembly. Still further, the multi-motor assemblies may be configured to include modular motor assemblies or modular sections. Ultimately, the present invention provides an aircraft with the ability to easily assemble or expand the multi-motor assemblies and, in doing so, modify the characteristics of the aircraft. The modularity also enhances the ability to maintain the aircraft by enabling motors or the units housing each motor to easily be replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Spydar Sensors, Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel Jacob Winkelstein
  • Patent number: 11919628
    Abstract: A method of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight includes providing horizontal thrust in-line with the direction of forward flight of the UAV using at least one electric motor, providing primary vertical lift for the UAV during the forward flight using a fixed and non-rotating wing, repositioning the at least one electric motor to provide vertical thrust during transition of the UAV to vertical flight for descent, landing the UAV on a surface using a vertical approach after the motor repositioning, and deploying an anchor to secure the UAV to a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Fisher, John P. Zwaan, Marc L. Schmalzel, Steven Chambers, Justin McAllister
  • Patent number: 11919635
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system energized by power lines includes a UAV, a charging mechanism and an electric circuit. The charging mechanism is operatively coupled to a body of the UAV. The charging mechanism can connect to power transmission lines deployed near an air space in which the UAV is airborne and operating. The charging mechanism can draw power from the power transmission lines to power a flight of the UAV. The electric circuit is onboard the UAV. The electric circuit can generate charging currents based on the power drawn from the power transmission lines to power the flight of the UAV while the UAV is airborne.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Khaled F. Abusalem, Soliman A. Al-Walaie, Osama Bakur Bahwal
  • Patent number: 11919630
    Abstract: A separated lift-thrust (SLT) aircraft includes a longitudinal-thrust engine and articulated electric rotors, at least some of which are variable-position rotors having variable orientations based on rotor position signals. Control circuitry independently controls thrust of the longitudinal-thrust engine and the thrust and orientation of each of the variable-position rotors, relative to the aircraft lifting surface and longitudinal thrust engine, to provide for commanded thrust-vectoring maneuvering of the aircraft during VTOL, fixed wing flight, and intermediate transitional states, including maintenance of a desired pose of the lifting surface independent of orientation of the rotor orientations when hovering the aircraft in windy conditions. A flight and navigation control system automates flight maneuvers and maintains desired aircraft pose and position relative to static or dynamic coordinates during station keeping, tracking, avoidance, or convergence maneuvers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Textron Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Sean Marshall Baity, Stephen W. Miller
  • Patent number: 11891166
    Abstract: Hybrid multirotor vehicles and related methods are disclosed herein. An example aircraft includes a battery, a rotor coupled to a wing, a motor operatively coupled to the rotor, and a processor operatively coupled to the motor. The processor to is cause the motor to operate in a first motor operational state. The rotor is to operate in a first rotor operational state when the motor is operating in the first motor operational state. The processor is to cause the motor to switch from operating in the first motor operational state to a second motor operational state. The rotor is to operate in a second rotor operational state when the motor is in the second motor operational state. The motor is to provide electrical energy to the battery in the second motor operational state and the rotor is to autorotate in the second rotor operational state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Eric Benjamin Gilbert
  • Patent number: 11873088
    Abstract: An aircraft including a fuselage extending in an aircraft longitudinal direction, a wing coupled to the fuselage and extending in an aircraft lateral direction perpendicular to the aircraft longitudinal direction, and a displacement assembly configured to translate the wing relative to the fuselage in the aircraft lateral direction between a flight position and a stowed position. In the flight position, the displacement assembly is positioned at a central portion between opposite end portions of the wing such that the displacement assembly is positioned a first distance from one of the end portions of the wing. In the stowed position, the displacement assembly is positioned proximate one of the end portions of the wing such that the displacement assembly is positioned a second distance from the one of the end portions of the wing, the second distance being less than the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: IIXXMMXXI LLC
    Inventor: Aidan Panthera
  • Patent number: 11866152
    Abstract: A system of an electric aircraft with pitch control using an elevator is presented. In some embodiments, the electric aircraft may include an elevator configured to deflect. In some embodiments, the electric aircraft may further include a lift lever configured to generate a lift command upon activation by a pilot. In some embodiments, the electric aircraft may further include a flight controller communicatively connected with the lift lever and the elevator, wherein the flight controller is configured to receive the lift command from the lift lever and adjust the elevator as a function of the lift command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Moy, Collin Freiheit, Riley Griffin
  • Patent number: 11866164
    Abstract: The present invention provides an aircraft design which incorporates a modular design including the use of one or more multi-motor assemblies where the motors are in series within the multi-motor assembly. Still further, the multi-motor assemblies may be configured to include modular motor assemblies or modular sections. Ultimately, the present invention provides an aircraft with the ability to easily assemble or expand the multi-motor assemblies and, in doing so, modify the characteristics of the aircraft. The modularity also enhances the ability to maintain the aircraft by enabling motors or the units housing each motor to easily be replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: SpyDar Sensors, Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel Jacob Winkelstein
  • Patent number: 11859542
    Abstract: A system including a turbine engine configured to generate rotor power and produce an engine air flow. The system is configured to provide rotor power to one of more shaft-driven lift fans to generate a first thrust on an aircraft body and provide a gas flow to one or more gas-driven lift fans to generate a second thrust on the aircraft body. The gas flow may be at least a portion of the engine air flow produced by the turbine engine. The turbine engine may be configured to exhaust another portion of the engine air flow through a jet nozzle to generate an engine thrust. In examples, the system includes at least a second turbine engine. The one of more shaft-driven lift fans and/or one of more gas-driven lift fans be powered by the turbine engine, the second turbine engine, or both the turbine engine and the second turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard K Keller, Paul Johnson
  • Patent number: 11827354
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial robotic vehicle (UARV) that can fly to an object such as a palm tree, hover in place adjacent to the object, mount itself securely and releasably to a mounting location on the object using a mounting mechanism, and which uses an incorporated utility system for performing one or more utilitarian functions, such as use of a cutting tool to trim palm tree branches and foliage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventor: Lucio Volpi
  • Patent number: 11830372
    Abstract: A collision avoidance system includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a UAV controller, and a safety data aggregator. The UAV includes a positional sensor, and is coupled to communicate positional data to the UAV controller, and receive commands from the UAV controller. The safety data aggregator is coupled to communicate with the UAV controller, wherein the safety data aggregator collects positional data from one or more UAV controllers, stores collected positional data in a safety data buffer, and extracts spatially relevant positional data in response to a request from the UAV controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: BOTLINK, LLC
    Inventor: Alexander J. Kube
  • Patent number: 11821338
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to propulsion systems and, more specifically, to propulsion systems configured to vector and provide directional thrust such as those that may be used in aircraft or watercraft. Such propulsion systems may be used in connection with unmanned aerial vehicles, other aircraft, or various watercraft including submersibles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Inventor: Alexandru Balan
  • Patent number: 11802485
    Abstract: A propulsor fan array having reduced noise emission is disclosed. The propulsor fan array includes a plurality of propulsor fans that collectively generate thrust. Each of the propulsor fans include a blade fan having a plurality of blades. The plurality of blades are tensioned at tips of the plurality of blade fans such that a pitch of the blades during thrust generation is substantially the same as a pitch of the blades at rest. By tensioning the tips of the blades, an angle of the blades is maintained during operation of the propulsor fan thereby reducing noise that may result from changes in the angle of the blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Whisper Aero Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Douglass Moore, Ian Andreas Villa, Devon Jedamski, Xiaofan Fei
  • Patent number: 11794931
    Abstract: A modular unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system comprises a body module, a rotor module, and a wing module. The body module includes a flight controller and a power distribution device. The body module is releasably attachable to the rotor module or the wing module, and the body module is releasably attachable to the rotor module. The rotor module includes one or more motors and electronic speed controllers (ESCs), while the wing module includes a wing having a flap, elevator, aileron, or rudder. Various UAV configurations can be formed from the body module, the rotor module, and the wing module. Each configuration includes different advantages for flight time, distance, battery life, and payload capacity. A UAV can be configured to a particular configuration to optimize parcel delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Julio Gil
  • Patent number: 11753174
    Abstract: The aircraft includes a fuselage and at least one wing extending from the fuselage. The wing includes first and second original portions and a plug portion positioned between the first and second original portions. A propulsion system is positioned on the at least one wing. The propulsion system includes at least one electric powerplant and at least one combustion powerplant. Each powerplant delivers power to a respective air mover for propelling the aircraft. The electric powerplant and/or the combustion powerplant is positioned outboard from the plug portion. A method for retrofitting an aircraft includes segmenting a wing of an aircraft into two original portions, positioning a plug portion between the two original portions, and connecting the plug portion to one of the two original portions, the first nacelle and/or the second nacelle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Pierre Bertrand, Jean Thomassin
  • Patent number: 11745854
    Abstract: A foldable propeller for air mobility includes a link assembly including a plurality of links facilitating blades to be rotated around a hub as a moving portion vertically slides such that the blades are folded to each other or unfolded from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Jae Young Choi, Sang Hyun Jung, Chung Sik Yim, Kyu Hoon Cho
  • Patent number: 11718395
    Abstract: A vertical takeoff and landing aircraft system includes a gas turbine engine coupled to a variable pitch propeller. The gas turbine engine is also coupled to a power split device including a first motor generator, a second motor generator, and a planetary module therebetween. The planetary module includes a sun gear, a ring gear, and a planet carrier. The motor generators are coupled to inverters, a DC bus and a battery. The battery is configured to power balance fans disposed on wings and horizontal stabilizers of the aircraft system. The balance fans can be closed off after vertical lift has been achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Donald Klemen
  • Patent number: 11693429
    Abstract: A method of controlling a multi-rotor aircraft (1) including at least five, preferably at least six, lifting rotors (2; R1-R6), each having a first rotation axis which is essentially parallel to a yaw axis (z) of the aircraft (1), and at least one forward propulsion device (3), preferably two forward propulsion devices (P1, P2), the at least one forward propulsion device having at least two rotors (P1_R1, P1_R2, P2_R1, P2_R2) that are arranged coaxially with a second rotation axis which is essentially parallel to a roll axis (x) of the aircraft. The at least one or each of the forward propulsion devices (3, P1, P2) being arranged at a respective distance (+y, ?y) from said roll axis (x). The method further includes: using at least one of the rotors of the at least one forward propulsion device to control the aircraft's moment about the yaw and/or roll axes independently from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Volocopter GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Mores, Krishna Rajput
  • Patent number: 11685533
    Abstract: A selectively deployable heated propulsor system which may be integrated into vehicles, airplanes, or any other machinery configured for flight. The system includes a structural feature that includes a mounted propulsor including a rotor and a motor mechanically coupled to the rotor allowing the rotor to rotate when in an activated mode. The mounted propulsor includes a chamber configured to support a first configuration where the propulsor and the rotor are stowed and heated in an enclosed environment, and a second configuration where the rotor is deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventors: Kyle B. Clark, Riley Griffin, Augustus Brightman, Steven Arms, Herman Wiegman
  • Patent number: 11667376
    Abstract: A system and method for flight control compensation for component degradation is illustrated. The system comprises a first flight component mechanically coupled to the electric aircraft and a second flight component mechanically coupled to the electric aircraft. A sensor is also coupled to both the first flight component and the second flight component, wherein the sensor is configured to detect a performance degradation datum in one of the first flight component and the second flight component and transmit the performance degradation datum to a flight controller. The system also comprises a flight controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, wherein the flight controller is configured to receive the performance degradation datum from the sensor and adjust operation of either the first flight component or the second flight component as a function of the performance degradation datum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua E. Auerbach, Nicholas Moy, Collin Freiheit
  • Patent number: 11661179
    Abstract: A vertical take-off and landing aircraft includes a wing body, a duct, a rotary wing, upper-surface hinges, and upper-surface covers. The upper-surface hinges are provided at an upper-surface opening of the duct. The upper-surface covers are pivotally supported by the upper-surface hinges, and configured to cause the upper-surface opening to be open and closed. The upper-surface covers are configured to pivot, upon forward moving of the aircraft, in a closing direction by negative pressure generated on an upper surface side of the wing body, to cause the upper-surface opening to be closed. The upper-surface covers are configured to pivot, upon hovering of the aircraft, in an opening direction by pressure of an airflow flowing in the duct from the upper side to a lower side in accordance with rotation of the rotary wing, own weights of the upper-surface covers, or both, to cause the upper-surface opening to be open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuki Matsui
  • Patent number: 11661174
    Abstract: A retractable propeller apparatus of an air mobility vehicle has a structure enabling a propeller to be exposed or hidden depending on whether the air mobility vehicle is in a high-speed flight or a parking position. In particular, the retractable propeller apparatus includes: a base having a mount provided with a space; a propeller unit disposed on the mount and configured to generate a flow of air; a cover configured to close the space and be movable in the top-bottom direction with respect to the mount; and a lift unit disposed on the mount connected to the cover, and configured to move the cover. The cover selectively closes or opens the space based on an operation of the lift unit such that the propeller unit is operable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sang Hyun Jung, Kyu Hoon Cho, Chung Sik Yim, Jae Young Choi
  • Patent number: 11661191
    Abstract: UAV configurations and battery augmentation for UAV internal combustion engines, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative configuration includes a fuselage, first and second wings coupled to and pivotable relative to the fuselage, and a plurality of lift rotors carried by the fuselage. A representative battery augmentation arrangement includes a DC-powered motor, an electronic speed controller, and a genset subsystem coupled to the electronic speed controller. The genset subsystem can include a battery set, an alternator, and a motor-gen controller having a phase control circuit configurable to rectify multiphase AC output from the alternator to produce rectified DC feed to the DC-powered motor. The motor-gen controller is configurable to draw DC power from the battery set to produce the rectified DC feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Endurant Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Gregory Leonard McAdoo
  • Patent number: 11649035
    Abstract: Multiple propulsion units mounted inside an enclosure near openings can be used to control the fluid flow in and out of the openings and also to determine the total fluid flow at any additional uncontrolled openings. By controlling the fluid flow, where such control is available, and by considering the resulting flow at any uncontrolled enclosure openings, it may be possible to achieve a desired thrust vector but have a more favorable weight/shape/efficiency than would be possible without the enclosure and use of coordinated control of fluid flow into or out of some openings. The designed geometry of the enclosure is an important consideration and will have an effect on the overall thrust magnitude and direction. A grouping of propulsion systems can be coordinated to achieve a more general thrust vector and associated moment on a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Inventor: Matthew Donald Berkemeier
  • Patent number: 11639217
    Abstract: An aerodyne comprises a fuselage, a fixed wing , a thruster for cruising flight, and a rotary wing for stages of vertical flight and held stationary during cruising flight. The rotary wing includes at least two contrarotating single-blades disposed at the top of the fuselage and hinged about respective axes perpendicular to the rotor axes of rotation. A maneuvering procedure for maneuvering the aerodyne includes a transition stage between a stage of vertical flight and a stage of cruising flight, wherein in the transition stage, when the speed of each single-blade is less than a threshold speed of rotation, the pitch of each single-blade is such that it no longer provides any lift force and the transverse hinge of the single-blade to its rotor axis is held locked in a position such that the single-blade is perpendicular to the rotor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: INNOSTAR
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Simon, Philippe Roesch
  • Patent number: 11634222
    Abstract: A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle having a foldable fixed wing and a twin-ducted fan power system (7) arranged at a tail portion of a fuselage in a transverse and tail propulsion arrangement provides lift for vertical take-off and landing and propulsion for horizontal flight. By means of deflection of a control servo plane arranged at a duct exit, a vectored thrust is provided to enable a fast attitude change. When the aerial vehicle takes off and lands vertically/flies at a low speed, the wing is folded to reduce the frontal area exposure to crosswind. When the aerial vehicle is flying horizontally, the wing is expanded to obtain larger lift. A Coanda effect is created at a trailing edge of the wing by suction of the duct to improve performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Inventors: Hailong Pei, Zihuan Cheng
  • Patent number: 11634230
    Abstract: In a hybrid flight vehicle, having four rotors attached to a frame and configured to produce propelling force to propel the frame, a gas turbine engine attached to the frame and configured to rotate when fuel is supplied, a generator connected to an output shaft of the engine and configured to generate electric power when driven by the engine, a battery configured to store the electrical power generated by the generator, and four first electric motors each connected to the rotors to drive associated one of the rotors when the electric power is supplied from the battery, and an electronic control unit configured to control flight by regulating driving of the four rotors by the first electric motors. In the vehicle, the output shaft of the engine is attached parallel to at least one among yaw axis, pitch axis and roll axis of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keisuke Kawai
  • Patent number: 11635773
    Abstract: We describe an aircraft design, which is capable of vertical takeoff and landing and also high-speed cruise on a fixed wing. The aircraft comprises a fuselage with a probe-deployment mechanism, which deploys a sample-gathering probe, located at a front end of the fuselage. A main wing is coupled to a middle section of the fuselage, wherein a right motor and right propeller are coupled to a right side of the main wing, and a left motor and left propeller are coupled to a left side of the main wing. The right and left propellers are angled with respect to the fuselage enabling the aircraft to pitch up to a vertical-takeoff mode and pitch down a horizontal-cruising mode. A pitch motor and pitch propeller are located at the rear end of the fuselage, wherein the pitch propeller is angled to provide substantially vertical thrust to control a pitch of the fuselage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Ilya M. Anishchenko, Stephen K. Robinson
  • Patent number: 11613355
    Abstract: An aircraft includes a closed wing, a fuselage at least partially disposed within a perimeter of the closed wing, and one or more spokes coupling the closed wing to the fuselage. A source of electric power is disposed within or attached to the closed wing, fuselage or one or more spokes. A plurality of electric motors are disposed within or attached to the one or more spokes in a distributed configuration. Each electric motor is connected to the source of electric power. A propeller is operably connected to each of the electric motors and proximate to a leading edge of the one or more spokes. One or more processors are communicably coupled to the plurality of electric motors. A longitudinal axis of the fuselage is substantially vertical in vertical takeoff and landing and stationary flight, and substantially in a direction of a forward flight in a forward flight mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Carlos Alexander Fenny, Rohn Lee Olson, Andrew James Zahasky
  • Patent number: 11597508
    Abstract: An aircraft having reverse thrust capabilities includes a fuselage, a plurality of flight components, a pilot control located within the fuselage, a sensor attached to the pilot control configured to detect an aircraft datum from the pilot control, and a flight controller, located within the fuselage, the flight controller configured to receive the aircraft datum from the sensor, and initiate a reverse torque command of a flight component of the plurality of flight components as a function of the aircraft datum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventors: Herman Lucas Norbert Wiegman, Nathan William Joseph Wiegman, Lochie Ferrier, Riley Clinton Griffin
  • Patent number: 11591071
    Abstract: According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for operating a multicopter experiencing a failure during flight, the multicopter comprising a body, and at least four effectors attached to the body, each operable to produce both a torque and a thrust force which can cause the multicopter to fly when not experiencing said failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: ETH Zurich
    Inventors: Mark W. Mueller, Sergei Lupashin, Raffaello D'Andrea, Markus Waibel
  • Patent number: 11554862
    Abstract: A vertical take-off and landing multirotor aircraft with an airframe and at least eight thrust producing units, each one of the at least eight thrust producing units being provided for producing thrust in an associated predetermined thrust direction, wherein at least four thrust producing units of the at least eight trust producing units form a first thrust producing units sub-assembly, and at least four other thrust producing units of the at least eight thrust producing units form a second thrust producing units sub-assembly, the first thrust producing units sub-assembly being operable independent of the second thrust producing units sub-assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Uwe Kiesewetter, Christian Reichensperger, Lukasz Paluszek, Klaus Kicker
  • Patent number: 11535394
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a landing assistance system that, in response to determining that an aircraft is within a deceleration and descent profile, displays a zero speed indicator that indicates a location where the aircraft is calculated to reach zero horizontal speed and zero altitude according to a reference glide path based on flight characteristics of the aircraft. The landing assistance system provides the symbols described herein by determining flight characteristics for an aircraft; calculating where to locate a zero speed indicator based on the flight characteristics; and projecting the zero speed indicator on a display in the aircraft. Low and high speed solutions, as well as azimuth dependent and azimuth independent solutions thereof, quickly and accurately provide the calculations based on the current flight characteristics of the aircraft to thereby provide pilots with landing aids that provide relevant landing information based, in part, on relative locations of the symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Kevin G. Schurek, Jacob J. Kowalski, Douglas S. Fischer, Barbara A. Meredith, Lenrik E. Toval, Scott J. Brick
  • Patent number: 11518536
    Abstract: A vertical takeoff and landing aerial vehicle and a cooling system for the aerial vehicle. Heat dissipation in an arm of an aerial vehicle is achieved by installing a fan in a hollow interior of each of a left linear support and a right linear support of the aerial vehicle, thereby achieving the purposes of lowering temperature in the arm and protecting equipment in the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: SHANGHAI AUTOFLIGHT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yu Tian
  • Patent number: 11498090
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a sprayer configured to generate a pressurized fluid flow and a nozzle configured to receive the pressurized fluid from the sprayer and to generate a spray fan to apply the fluid to a surface. The UAV includes sensors and a control unit to control both flight of the UAV and spraying by the sprayer. The fluid can be stored onboard the UAV in a reservoir or can be remotely stored and pumped to the UAV. The UAV control unit can be preloaded with a spray plan and a flight plan, or the UAV can be controlled by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Thompson, Dale D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11469691
    Abstract: An unmanned aircraft includes: a processor; and at least two generators that generate thrust for the unmanned aircraft to fly, the at least two generators each including a corresponding one of rotor blades that produce airflows. In the unmanned aircraft, the processor generates a control request for changing a rotational speed of at least one of the rotor blades of the at least two generators to reduce a difference between rotational speeds, in response to start of sound recording by a microphone, and the at least two generators rotate the rotor blades in accordance with the control request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Stephen William John, Kazunobu Konishi, Katsuhiko Asai, Kazuo Inoue
  • Patent number: 11453488
    Abstract: A lightweight lift system for VTOL/VSTOL operation running in parallel with an existing turbine. This system distributes LP power by switching compressor flow and fuel proportionally over to the lift turbine module. As forward thrust is demanded, some of the power is transitioned back to the flight LP turbine, which can drive a variable propeller, fan or can supply jet thrust. As flight motion occurs, the power to the lift fan can be reduced to zero and lift closed off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Donald Klemen
  • Patent number: 11440672
    Abstract: A long-distance drone is disclosed having a canard body style with a main body, a left main wing, a right main wing, a left forewing, and a right forewing. The left forewing is attached to the main body forward of the left main wing, and the right forewing is attached to the main body forward of the right main wing. There is a left linear support connecting the left forewing to the left main wing, and a right linear support connecting the right forewing to the right main wing. A plurality of propellers are disposed on the left and the right linear supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Inventor: Yu Tian
  • Patent number: 11407506
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an airplane capable of hyper-short/vertical takeoff and landing (hyper-STOL/VTOL) and having non-rotatable vertical propulsions. It attempts to overcome a limitation of QuadPlane design by making efficient use of both horizontal and vertical propulsions during hovering and vertical flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Inventors: Chung Kiak Poh, Chung How Poh